Saturday, January 14, 2017

There has been an avalanche of support for Steele's credentials in the British press over the past two days, the cumulative effect of which has been to add credibility to the unproven allegations against the US president-elect.
Here are some key things we now know about Steele:

Steele was head of MI6’s Russia desk. He worked at Britain's intelligence service for years and was a highly regarded specialist on Russia, according to The Guardian. He served in Paris and Moscow in the 1990s before retiring. He now runs the intelligence company Orbis Business Intelligence with Christopher Burrows, a former British Foreign Office counsellor.

He has a network of sources in Russia. The New York Times said he was known for "his knowledge of the intricate web of Kremlin-tied companies and associates that control Russia." He called on these contacts to compile the allegations against Trump.

Steele has been trusted by the FBI and others with sensitive work.Reuters reported that the intelligence expert supplied the FBI with information on corruption at football's world governing body, FIFA, in 2010. He also gathered intelligence on Russia for England's 2018 World Cup bid. Russia ultimately triumphed during the bidding process.

He has friends in high places. Sir Andrew Wood, a former British ambassador to Moscow who helped alert US intelligence to the dossier, said Steele was a "very competent professional operator."

Well that doesn't sound like the sort of professional who simply traffics in gossip and innuendo.

Which was also the conclusion of David Corn who writes for Mother Jones, who interviewed Steele and had this to say:

I also was able to review the memos the former spy had written, and I quoted a few key portions in my article. I did not report the specific allegations—especially the lurid allegations about Trump's personal behavior—because they could not be confirmed. The newsworthy story at this point was that a credible intelligence official had provided information to the FBI alleging Moscow had tried to cultivate and compromise a presidential candidate. And the issue at hand—at a time when the FBI was publicly disclosing information about its investigation of Hillary Clinton's handling of her email at the State Department—was whether the FBI had thoroughly investigated these allegations related to Russia and Trump. I also didn't post the memos, as BuzzFeed did this week, because the documents contained information about the former spy's sources that could place these people at risk.

When I spoke with the former spy, he appeared confident about his material—acknowledging these memos were works in progress—and genuinely concerned about the implications of the allegations. He came across as a serious and somber professional who was not eager to talk to a journalist or cause a public splash. He realized he was taking a risk, but he seemed duty bound to share information he deemed crucial. He noted that these allegations deserved a "substantial inquiry" within the FBI. Yet so far, the FBI has not yet said whether such an investigation has been conducted. As the former spy said to me, "The story has to come out."

At first the former spy was working for Republicans looking for dirt on Trump, but after the election they no longer seemed to care. However Streele himself felt that the information was too important to keep secret so he started looking for ways to disseminate it pro bono.

Here was his reasoning: Mr Steele also decided to pass on information to both British and American intelligence officials after concluding that such material should not just be in the hands of political opponents of Mr Trump, who had hired his services, but was a matter of national security for both countries.

However, say security sources, Mr Steele became increasingly frustrated that the FBI was failing to take action on the intelligence from others as well as him. He came to believe there was a cover-up, that a cabal within the Bureau blocked a thorough inquiry into Mr Trump, focusing instead on the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails.

It should also be noted that Steele was the agent who exposed the corruption within FIFA, a scandal that had international repercussions. Which only cements his reputation as a very professional and capable investigator.

Maybe it's just me, but it seems that if this man was willing to sacrifice so much to get this information exposed to the public, that it behooves various media outlets around the world to at the very least work hard to either confirm or denounce it.

Adult magazine Penthouse has received three claims for its $1 million offer to anyone who could provide real tapes of President-elect Donald Trump’s alleged and unproven sexual escapades at the Ritz-Carlton in Moscow, the publication’s editor exclusively revealed to International Business Times Thursday.

I for one don't think this story is dead yet, and I am more than a little interested in seeing where it goes.

88 comments:

I subscribe to the Guardian online. This information on trump is taken MUCH more seriously in Europe than here.Also, I read that Israel does not even want to share intel with trump lest it fall into Putin's hands.

Yes! I've been reading around at Brit sites. I love the one statement that in GB a spy doesn't become an ex-spy--that person is dedicated and stays dedicated. This Steele guy has done good work and the world knows it, especially b/c of the FIFA scandal. It sounds like the Brit papers are fired up--good!

I've also been reading Pravda (always has been propaganda) and the Moscow Times. The MT is more open to reporting. Interestingly, they reported yesterday that Putin's military is practicing ground operations for use when, it sounds like, they put boots on the ground in Syria. There's been yes and no talk on whether Putin will be calling all ships away from that area and it appears this is the case, but it looks like it's meant to send a message that doesn't jive with actually staying in Syria in another way. Also, the Russian papers were saying yesterday that one of the heads of govt (can't recall position) is saying that Russia's sanctions against allowing in western foods will end soon. They are not slated to end or be re-upped until December, but of course we know that Russia and Trump are buddies and so the sanctions will be lessened or ended. Trump's hinted at it, too.

I wish Hustler or some other source had offered $$$'s for the tape W/OUT it being "exclusive" just throw it up on the internet. One million dollars in this day and age is chump change. What would prevent a Trump supporting billionaire from offering Penthouse $500 million for the "exclusive" tape? Trump could also threaten Penthouse with god-knows-what.

Yeah, Penthouse made an offer and I later read that 3 people had claimed to have something, but nothing's happened. Larry Flynt should get involved and they should all just open things up as you say. Make it easy to report things. They could pay different amounts for anything having to do with Trump's misbehavior of any kind. Just throw everything up online. If it's true, what can Trump do. Anything and everything.

I'd like to know how many advisors and trump team members are working for putin. I also would like to know how a candidate with lower poll numbers than his opposition suddenly wins the election yet still has the lowest approval numbers? Way too much "something smells fishy" here.

As I've commented here before, the questions to ask Trump and his associates is: "what did you know and when did you know it?" These are the two often repeated questions that Sen. Howard Baker (R-TN) asked of Nixon witnesses during the Watergate hearings. Once the tapes were released, even Sen. Baker wanted to impeach Nixon.Beaglemom

The polls showed that Hillary was going to win by a lot, even with the gap closing during the last couple weeks b/c of Comey. And Lawrence O'D had someone on who looked at #s in Florida that made everyone sure that Hillary would win. I remember that 38% of of GOP voters there were voting for Hillary. Even with any Hispanic voters swinging for Trump (mainly b/c of the Cuban vote), everyone was sure she had FLA. Although no official vote tampering evidence is on record, given everything that happened this election, I do believe that tampering was done.

tRump is such a despicable person, in every way. DEFINITELY not presidential. To think of him and his vile family going into the WH makes me feel so very sad. How soon before it is covered in gold paint? Money can not buy CLASS, and tRump and his family proves that beyond a shadow of a doubt. There had to have been any, many traitors involved getting this creep into the office of president. They should all rot in HELL, because they have ruined the USA permanently. We will never recover from this stupid, self obsessed clown. I wonder if the FBI has been infiltrated by Russian agents, and what do they have on Comey to make him such a traitor?

The Trumps and Bed Wetting: They called Don Jr diaper Don in college because he got drunk and pee-ed in other people's beds. Daddy Don and the Golden Showers. Why???? What's the turn on with that? And, perhaps the reason Barron is not moving to the White House is that he wets the bed.... Just sayin', perhaps the Trump men can't hold their water. Y'all know that everything pisses The Don off.

Anyone who doesn't believe this info has much truth to itas well as there being lots of info on Trump just as bad that hasn't been revealed is a fool.

I forgot who it was but I saw a tweet from someone earlier today that noted that Trump has devoted tons of time talking trash on Twitter about John Lewis, Meryl Streep and others and yet he has yet to say anything bad about his buddy Vladamir Putin. That is very telling indeed.

Vlad has the goods on this unqualified moron, believe that. The Russian mafia resides in tRump Tower, keeping a close watch on his orange hide. Maleria's father lives there, and he s a member of the Communist party. How did he and his wife get visas to come here to live?

Question - who will be the first to be murdered? As long as Drumpf is of value to Pootie he will be kept alive, unless nature takes it course.

Realistically, first Pootie will "off" the insider in his government who gave Steele the info, and of course Steele is at risk, BUT as long as Pootie doesn't yet know who the insider is who leaked the info in the dossier they won't take Steele out in case they are able to torture him for the info if they find out where he is hiding. Steele fears for his own life and for that of his family members.

Watch Maddow if you want to keep up. She is a great investigative journalist and every night her first 17 minutes are an education in history somehow hooked to the present, usually. She reminds us about the two spies who turned against Russia and we know they didn't last long and the one in 2006 died a horrible death, though the earlier one we know about went down quickly with that umbrella "prick" to his leg as he walked along outdoors.

Thanks Gryphen for all you do here.

Anyone who thinks things have been chaotic - you ain't seen nothing yet. Discounting people's lives are just everyday exercises for Drumpf so get use to it. Fight it where you can, though, everyday!

People do not accept facts, no matter how well documented, if they conflict with their own worldview. If your entire life revolves around your church and believing the world is 6000 years old no matter of scientific fact will convince you dinosaurs lived millions of years ago.Not sure how willful ignorance can be overcome.

In all the recent photos we are seeing of Trump, he is appearing different in his face! I see the stress getting to him and an aging process in play!

Sounds like he is going to be under the gun consistently even 'after' he takes the oath of office. All the crud against him has to be proven accurate and truthful and even though Trump will try to stop investigations once he takes the oath there is already something else in play!

Trump is supposedly going to try and squash the media in the USA specifically when countering him as potus or when printing negative things about his past!

It now appears other countries around the world WILL do the job for the USA! Britain is already doing so! I'm sure Trump will try and stop that too, but he cannot control the world!

'Leaks' are going to become the 'norm' especially in America!

Trump is not liked around the world - only in Russia!!! And, Trump is the ONLY one in true support of Putin! Being a 'traitor' is NOT American!

The 'drips' will continue and get bigger. It will be relentless. We can see how fragile he is. He can't take the hits(bullies can't). He must stay up all night trying to figure out how to punch back(he's terrified the curtain will be pulled back). His entire life is a sham. Good luck with that you orange shitgibbon.

When he speaks he sounds a lot like my dad in earlier stages of Alzheimers- repetitive, juvenile, confused, not remembering. I'm convinced that's why he needs his family nearby, to cover for him as we covered for Dad.

If he is in the early stages of Alz. or dementia I would normally be sympathetic, but this vile excuse for a human being is so gross I have no feelings, apart from HATRED. He has always had a "punchable face" but he does seem to deteriorating lately. Vile, piss poor excuse for a human being, literally.

One thing you can be sure about with Comrade Trump is that whenever his mean tweets get really, really mean, then the person being attacked is saying something that is very likely to be true. Most recent examples: Meryl Streep, Rep. John Lewis and former MI6 operative Steele. (I'm not sure of his first name.) For a professional con artist Donald Trump is far too obvious.Beaglemom

The poorly written porn fan fic that was used as the heart of this "dossier" ( before the Russian angle was added by US intelligence ) was originally posted on 4chan back in the fall. I saw portions of it. Written by a Trump supporter who was preparing to impishly troll the MSM and prove how poorly they source material. He never dreamed in his wildest dreams that they would bite on it so hard. The writer has a lawyer now and will be making public appearances soon detailing the entire hilarious trolling event. He has all the proof with time stamps, email chain of who he submitted it too, etc. He sent it to RNC member I believe who then passed it up the chain of command. Trump haters don't care about sourcing if it fuels more hate. You're all in for a juicy treat next week!

Millions of adult appearing misinformed infants voted for this abomination. May they enjoy the deterioration of their lives with no SS or Medicare and the dismantling of social nets and consumer and environmental protections. The uber wealthy will get wealthier and more powerful though. That should warm the cockles of their hearts as long as those welfare leeches(mostly white actually, they don't get it) don't get 'their' stuff. Fools. They live in red states funded by the blue states because of their dismal ignorant choices. They never will get smarter. They believe Fox, Alex Jones, Hannity, O'Reilly and all their ilk. They are the stupid underbelly of our society. They cling to their bibles, guns, and cammo like the frightened and ignorant little children they are. The slow kids in the class.

"They live in red states funded by the blue states because of their dismal ignorant choices."

So relatively safe in my so blue state I'm envisioning a Canada that runs down the east coast to New York/New England (maybe eastern PA if they behave) and down the west coast to Tijuana. Let the south and the middle get along on their own without us.

How pathetic that we have to rely on foreign intelligence services to do the jobs our own CIA and FBI are supposed to be doing and we have to rely on the likes of Mother Jones, BuzzFeed and Penthouse to release this information to the public.

Yes. If only the Republicans would have not been so hateful and unamerican obstructionist ego maniacs, america may never had suffered all the most recent tragic events such as 911 boston cole Vietnam sandyhook and so much more. If only the infrastructure and grid had been improved and updated years ago, if satellites secured and communication secured, if only the roads and bridges were improved and rail system up to date for future and sensible gun rules and regs. And money in public education not private and science, history and research. The jobs were there. But sadly NO. The hateful republicans signed a pledge to hate America many years ago. and now listen to them and watch them stone faced, empty and they clap and smile for espionage, pussy and liars and for now this OUTRAGEOUS example of Citizen United and their Candidate. His choice of cabinet to dismantle this country and insult those that have died for our freedom and way of life ? Republicans are to blame.

A publicist for the the "Dreamgirls" diva said in a statement Saturday that Holliday, who was slated to sing at the ceremony on Friday, changed her tune after the inauguration committee pre-emptively announced her appearance before she decided to perform. The statement also cited outcry from fans and people in the LGBT community who expressed disappointment at her participation....

As someone said recently. Mr. Trump has never had a boss. He will have 535 Bosses and 200 million active trustees and 400 million dependents. Freedom as he knows it will never be allowed. Criticism will never stop. Buddies will turn and Republicans will move to impeach him the minute he takes the oath. He is in bad spot. I'm not a democrat but just think if the democrats candidate had behaved and committed espionage? Holy tacos!!

And the act of making the National Guard head step down at 12:01 PM on 1/20, while the guard members are in the middle of an operation--one to protect that fucking asshole--makes me sick. It was cold enough what he did to the ambassadors' families, especially given how Barron is so delicate that he has to stay in NYC, but this with the guard is disgusting. Trump is so fucking arrogant. And then the John Lewis tweets. Lewis was being interviewed and he quietly--and with sadness--said what he said. Trump's tweets were disgusting. At this point, I do think there are people out there, unstable and furious people, who will try taking Trump down physically. With every presidency it happens and we the public never know of the attempts on the president's life, but I will not be at all surprised if something public happens now.

If anything happens to the orange blob, there will be celebrations!! Remember his lie about Muslims dancing in NY after 9/11? The dancing and celebrations will be REAL then, not by Muslims, but citizens of the SANE areas of this country. Let's see how close Kellyanne stands to tRummp during this whole fiasco Friday.

Mulatto dear. Mother White and pure All American Girl, as the pure driven snow in Kansas. Raised by Decent White Family and People without prejudice. And yes a man from Kenya was his bio father. His mother well read and traveled. Regardless the label President Obama is the greatest in my lifetime so far.

I was very pleased to see that we are going to have a Congressional inquiry of this matter.

It is one thing if Putin, without the knowledge or consent of the Trump campaign, tried to interfere with our election. It is quite another if the Trump campaign colluded with Putin in order to win the election. The latter would be treason.

About Me

This blog is dedicated to finding the truth, exposing the lies, and holding our politicians and leaders accountable when they fall far short of the promises that they have made to both my fellow Alaskans and the American people.